I was raised in a small town in Massachusetts,
with a Catholic upbringing, I was even an altar boy. I stopped going to church
in 11th grade, but I told my parents I was going just to get out of the house. I
believed church was boring. I had a "good" upbringing - father &
mother both loved me, no divorce or abuse.

I graduated in 1978, went to college and dropped
out - and Sept of 79 enlisted in the Navy for 3 years. Through all these years I
lived life in the fast lane, apart from God. Its amazing how I can look back and
see how many times I was saved from life and death situations, and I didn't know
Christ. I would have gone to hell !

Good changes in my life started when I met my
wife, Karen, who was also in the Navy (I was her boss). We married in 1983. I
was still not saved, but she was. We had our 1st son that year, and my mother
died in December (she had MS about 8 years). I can remember crying at the
funeral, but it didn't bring me any closer to God.

I was working in the real estate field, making
lots of money. I had one of the nicest homes in my town, 2 new vehicles, and a
new in ground heated swimming pool. I still wasn't satisfied. Sin in my life was
snowballing - big and fast.

My wife had tried to get me to go to church with
her, and even brought her pastor to our house to talk. The 1st time I was
courteous, only because I wanted to sell him a house. After that, I avoided him
and left when he came over.

By 1986 we had 2 boys, and I was only making
church twice a year - Christmas and Easter. It was the Easter Sunday of this
year, that I went to my wife's church, and conviction came over me after the
message was preached. I went forward to the altar knowing I needed a change in
my life, and another preacher brought me aside and showed me some scripture in
the Bible, and I said "I believe".

I didn't know any Bible verses, I didn't know the
books of the Bible, I even pronounced the "p" in Psalms!

But this I know, that I received Christ as my
Saviour, and big changes had began to take place in mine & Karen's life.

We sold everything in 2 months and moved to
Pennsylvania. God led us to a good church, but we had 3 years of trials and
tribulations! But God graciously gave us 2 more children. Still, I was not
trusting in God for everything. I even said to my wife "You don't think I
can get a job without God?" She was right.

At the end of the 3rd year in PA I decided to
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths."

1990 we moved to Alabama with no money, or job,
or home lined up. We had a 26' Ryder truck with all our stuff.

God has been so faithful, that we have never
regretted committing all to him. We've been down here 11 years and we have had 5
more children and the 10th was due 3 days ago. I could give countless examples
of blessings he has brought through trials. Our trials have been adventures
because of our close walk with God. The Bible says, "Draw nigh to me, and I
will draw nigh to you." How can we fear when Jesus is near?

Our children are - Michael, Jeremiah, Kimberly,
Gabriel, Kristian, Benjamin, Jennifer, Samuel, Abigail, and Nathan will be here
soon. And so will Christ!